John Pinyoun insists the merger between Eastbourne United and Shinewater Association could be the way forward for other clubs in Sussex.

The two Eastbourne sides confirmed on Wednesday they would be playing under the same banner as Eastbourne United Association in division two of the County League next season.

Pinyoun, currently chairman of Shinewater, believes both clubs would have folded if they had not decided to pool their resources.

The move follows the merger of Chichester and Portfield in the summer of 2000 and a similar route will be taken by Ifield, who are joining forces with Crawley League side Edwards Sports for next season.

Pinyoun said: "Within the Eastbourne area we have so many senior clubs. I think this is looking to the future. At this moment in time there is a lack of players in the area of division one standard, plus a lack of support, finance and sponsorship because too many clubs are chasing the same thing.

"It really makes sense to get together and make one bigger and stronger club, which I am sure it will be."

Shinewater, who were only formed in 1990, could have developed their own ground in the Langney area of Eastbourne but decided it was not a practical option.

Pinyoun said: "Nobody wants to see the club fold and I think both clubs would eventually fold if nothing was done. You can't let your heart rule your head because it would be a struggle unless this went through. This will keep both clubs alive."

The new club will comprise a first team, reserves and under-18 side all playing at The Oval, home of Eastbourne United. The club colours will be black and white. The committee will be made up of officials from both existing clubs but the youth sections of Eastbourne United and Shinewater will remain separate entities.

It was a phone call from Pinyoun to his United counterpart Peter Snashall earlier this season which set the merger in motion.

Pinyoun said: "We were in a promotion position and we couldn't go up (because the club does not have floodlights) and they were in a relegation position and would probably fold if they went down.

"There were lots of rumours going round that this would be the ideal move so I contacted Peter Snashall, mentioned the rumours and asked if there was any mileage in it."

The new team is expected to be managed by Dave Shearing, who left Shinewater to become manager of United last month.

Shearing said: "If you take the best players from both teams you will have quite a good team. The first aim is to get the club back in division one within a couple of seasons. There is no point doing this unless you want to progress. At the moment it is financially crippling for clubs. Apart from the top two or three in a league, nobody can pay their wages or expenses from what comes through the gate.

"This has got to be the way forward. Some clubs don't need to do it but others do."

The merger has the backing of the local council in Eastbourne and ground improvements at The Oval will soon be on the agenda.

The merger is likely to mean only one team will be relegated from division two this year, which suggests a reprieve for second from bottom Pease Pottage.